Shower Canopy

ABSTRACT

A shower curtain canopy for expanding the volume inside a shower. Curved spines support the canopy and allow the canopy to extend outside the shower area. A center cord with fasteners and a set of weights secure the canopy in position. A lower skirt aids prevention of water escaping the shower area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shower curtains. The presentinvention relates more specifically to outwardly expanded showercanopies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When taking a shower, it is important to have a shower curtain formultiple reasons. Shower curtains prevent water from leaving the bathtubshower. Additionally, shower curtains provide privacy by shielding theperson in the shower from view. Many designs of shower curtains exist,but the structure and shape of shower curtains are generally the same.One issue with existing shower curtains is the limitation of physicalspace bounded by the shower curtain. As housing spaces get smaller andbathrooms become more compact, it can be frustrating and uncomfortableto accidentally touch the shower curtain. The shower curtain can stickto the skin, giving an unpleasant feeling. Touching can also displacethe shower curtain, causing water to splash outside the showering area.Touching the shower curtain can also be a reminder that the shower isenclosed in a tight space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention represents a shower curtain canopy. The presentinvention comprises curved spines, which support the shower canopyoutside the showering area. The present invention includes a center cordand magnetic weights to secure the position of the shower canopy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing Embodiment 1 of the present inventiondeployed on a bathtub.

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing Embodiment 1 of the present inventiondeployed on a bathtub.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a uniquely designedshower curtain. The present invention provides a shower canopy thatallows the user a wider range of motion during the process of a shower.The present invention provides a shower canopy that curves outward. Inaddition, the present invention provides a shower canopy that fastens tothe sides of the bathtub. Furthermore, the present invention providesthe user a showering experience in a more cavernous space.

The present invention provides a uniquely designed shower canopy. Thepresent invention provides a shower canopy that allows the user a widerrange of motion during the process of a shower. The present inventionprovides a shower canopy that curves outward. In addition, the presentinvention provides a shower canopy that fastens to the sides of thebathtub. Furthermore, the present invention provides a weighted base toassist the firm positioning of the shower canopy. The present inventioncomprises a set of vertical spines, a set of side fasteners, a centercord, a set of weights, a shower curtain, and a lower skirt.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 , Embodiment 1 of the present invention is ashower canopy 100. The shower canopy 100 includes a shower curtain 101.The shower curtain 101 prevents water from splashing outside the showerarea. The shower curtain 101 also provides privacy during the showerprocess. The shower curtain 101 operates similarly to a standard showercurtain. The upper half of the shower curtain 101 is curved due to theembedded curved spines 102. The lower half of the shower curtain 101contains straight spines 103. The straight spines 103 help the canopy100 avoid obstacle, such as a sink or toilet. In Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention, the lower half of the shower curtain 101 containscurved spines, similar to the curved spines 102 of the upper half of theshower curtain 101. The shower canopy 100 hangs from top fasteners 108,which connect to a shower curtain rod.

The curved spines 102 and straight spines 103 are rigid or semi-rigidskeletal components that assist the form and shape of the shower canopy100. In Embodiment 1, five spines are spaced evenly along the showercurtain 101. In alternate embodiments, any number of spines can be used.In Embodiment 3, the spines are spaced unevenly. In Embodiment 1, thecurved spines 102 are contained in the top half of the shower curtain1,and the straight spines are contained in the bottom half of the showercurtain. In Embodiment 4, the spines extend along the entire length ofthe shower curtain 101 without a gap. The curved spines 102 in the uppersection of the shower curtain 101 extend the shower curtain 101 outsidethe shower area.

Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a lower skirt 104attached near the bottom of the shower curtain 101. The lower skirt 104is an additional flap connected to the interior of the shower curtain101. The lower skirt 104 is used to prevent water from splashing orexiting the bathtub area. When the present invention is mounted with abathtub, the lower skirt 104 will hang inside the bathtub, and the lowerend of the shower curtain 101 will hang outside the bathtub. A set ofweights 105 are connected to the lower skirt 104 and the shower curtain101. In Embodiment 1, the weights are connected near the lower cornersof the lower skirt 104 and the shower curtain 101. The weights 105provide the ability to mount and position the lower skirt 104 and theshower curtain 101. The weights 105 prevent the lower skirt fromloosening and moving from the desired position.

The center cord 106 is an elastic cord or rope within the showercurtain. The center cord 106 is found within the center of the showercurtain. More specifically, the center cord 106 is a horizontal elasticrope that is used to assist the positioning the shower curtain. Thecenter cord can be of any material such as a rope. The center cordfurther comprises of a set of side fasteners 107. The side fasteners 107assist the attachment of the center cord into a fixed position. The setof side fasteners are found on the two ends of the center cord 106. Theside fasteners 107 can be of any fastening material such as suctioncups, hooks, straps, etc. In Embodiment 1, the set of side fasteners 107are suction cups. The side fasteners 107 are used to secure the two endsof the center cord 106 to the walls of the bathroom or shower, securingthe position of the shower canopy 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7 , the shower canopy 100 is installed around thewall of a bathtub 109. In a first configuration, the set of weights 105attached to the lower skirt 104 connect to the inner surface of thebathtub 109. The set of weights 105 attached to the shower curtain 101connect to the outer surface of the bathtub 109. In Embodiment 1, theweights 105 are magnetic, and the weights 105 attach magnetically to thebathtub 109. In Embodiment 5, the weights 105 use a section cup toattach the bathtub 109.

Referring to FIG. 8 , Embodiment 4 of the present invention includes ashower canopy 100. The curved spines 102 extend along the length of theshower curtain 101. The center cord 106 crosses around the curved spines102.

To use the present invention, the user will first install the topfasteners 108 to a horizontal pole, such as a shower curtain rod,located above the top edge of a bathtub 109. After the top fasteners areinstalled, the user will install the shower canopy 100 onto the topfasteners 108 by mean of the holes found on the top edge of the showercurtain 101. Once the top set of fasteners 108 and the shower curtain101 is installed onto the horizontal pole, the user will spread theshower canopy 100 along the edge of the bathtub 109. In addition, theuser will ensure that the bottom edge of the shower curtain 101 is laidon the exterior space of the bathtub. The user will use the center cord106, the set of weights 105, and the set of side fasteners 107 to assistwith securing and positioning the shower canopy 100 into a desirableposition. The user will then have addition space during a showeringprocess within a bathtub 109. The shower canopy's 100 curved form andshape caused by the set of vertical spines 102 allow for more space forthe user during a showering process inside of a bathtub 109.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower canopy comprising: a shower curtain; aplurality of spines enclosed within the shower curtain; and a skirtattached to the shower curtain.
 2. The shower canopy of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of spines further comprises: a first set of spinesenclosed within an upper section of the shower curtain; and a second setof spines enclosed with a lower section of the shower curtain.
 3. Theshower canopy of claim 2, wherein the first set of spines furthercomprises curved spines.
 4. The shower canopy of claim 2, wherein thesecond set of spines further comprises straight spines.
 5. The showercanopy of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spines extend verticallyfrom a top edge of the shower curtain to a bottom edge of the showercurtain.
 6. The shower canopy of claim 1, further comprising: a firstset of weights attached to the lower section of the shower curtain; anda second set of weights attached to the skirt.
 7. The shower canopy ofclaim 6, wherein the first set of weights magnetically attach to anouter surface of a bathtub.
 8. The shower canopy of claim 6, wherein thesecond set of weights magnetically attach to an inner surface of abathtub.
 9. The shower canopy of claim 1, further comprising a centercord extending horizontally through the shower curtain.
 10. The showercanopy of claim 9, further comprising a set of fasteners, anchoring thecenter cord.
 11. The shower canopy of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofspines comprises a rigid material.
 12. A shower canopy comprising: ashower curtain; a first set of spines enclosed within an upper sectionof the shower curtain; a second set of spines enclosed within a lowersection of the shower curtain; and a skirt attached to the lower sectionof the shower curtain.
 13. The shower canopy of claim 12, wherein thefirst set of spines further comprises curved spines.
 14. The showercanopy of claim 12, wherein the second set of spines further comprisesstraight spines.
 15. The shower canopy of claim 12, further comprising:a first set of weights attached to the lower section of the showercurtain; and a second set of weights attached to the skirt.
 16. Theshower canopy of claim 15, wherein the first set of weights magneticallyattach to an outer surface of a bathtub.
 17. The shower canopy of claim15, wherein the second set of weights magnetically attach to an innersurface of a bathtub.
 18. The shower canopy of claim 12, furthercomprising a center cord extending horizontally through the showercurtain.
 19. The shower canopy of claim 18, further comprising a set offasteners, anchoring the center cord.
 20. A shower canopy comprising: ashower curtain; a set of curved spines enclosed in an upper section ofthe shower curtain; a set of straight spines enclosed in a lower sectionof the shower curtain; a center cord separating the upper section andthe lower section; a set of fasteners anchoring the center cord; a lowerskirt attached to the lower section of the shower curtain; a first setof weights attached to the lower section of the shower curtain; and asecond set of weights attached to the lower skirt.